Archive for November, 2008

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New Orleans Medical Center Will Create Jobs, Aid In Rebuilding After Hurricane

Wednesday, November 26th, 2008

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the State of Louisiana have jointly announced the selection of adjacent downtown sites for construction of their replacement medical center projects. The two projects, called the Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the Louisiana State University Academic Medical Center, restore greatly needed health care capability lost in New Orleans during flooding after Hurricane Katrina in late August 2005.

New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin said, “The new VA hospital in downtown New Orleans will provide needed medical care for veterans throughout the region and will serve as a key economic driver for our future.  Along with the new LSU hospital, it will serve as the centerpiece of our biomedical district, generating thousands of healthcare jobs and enabling our city to compete with communities that are known for their medical services and research.”

“Restoring a full capability medical center for our veterans in New Orleans and southeastern Louisiana is one of the Secretary’s highest priorities,” said Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Gordon H. Mansfield.

“VA selected the downtown site because it offers the best solution for our veterans, today and into the future,” Mansfield added. “The site, located within a robust medical district with affiliate health care teaching universities, promotes long term operational synergy and efficiency.  The selected site aligns with the City of New Orleans and State of Louisiana Hurricane Katrina recovery and redevelopment plans.”

An agreement between VA and the City of New Orleans obligates the city to acquire the land for the new facility, prepare the site for construction and turn over the site to VA within one year.

“Constructing this state-of-the-art medical complex near downtown New Orleans follows through on the Administration’s commitment to fully support recovery efforts,” he said.

The announcement follows a nearly one-year process of extensive study of site alternatives, including analysis of the potential impacts on the environment and historically significant structures.

“The announcement by my colleagues at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs brings to closure a collaborative and inclusive process involving Federal, state and local government, as well as stakeholders who determined the location of the new veterans hospital,” said retired Maj. Gen. Douglas O’Dell, federal coordinator for Gulf Coast rebuilding.

“The hospital is a key component of the city’s vision of a revitalized downtown area and a world class medical campus,” O’Dell added.  “Further, this decision advances the goal President Bush and Secretary Peake established of better access to quality health care for the needs of current and future veterans.”

Dr. John Lombardi, LSU System President, said that building these hospitals in close proximity to each other assures the future of top quality health care, research, and medical education not only for the New Orleans area but for the entire state for many years to come. “This is a major milestone in constructing these joint academic medical centers that are destined to be models of health care reform for the nation in creating thousands of jobs while delivering cost-efficient medical treatment and disease management,” he said.

Posted in Healthcare, Job Search | 5 Comments »

Background Checks

Monday, November 24th, 2008

Pre-employment background checks make many job seekers nervous.  A lot of those looking for work aren’t aware of exactly and employer can and cannot hold against them.  Some worry about mistakes from their past effecting the ability to for a new jobs.  Knowing the laws that govern background checks can make the whole process a lot less nerve racking.  The following rules do not apply for positions that have salaries over $75,000 a year.

According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), employers can investigate an applicant’s financial past and view bankruptcy records. Although hiring managers are allowed to look at this information during a background check, it is illegal discriminate against someone for this reason.  Still, if an employer can see these records, then their opinion may be affected. Thankfully, the FCRA forbids an employer from viewing bankruptcies that occurred more than 10 years ago.  This means that those who made financial mistakes when they were younger, but latter learned how to handle money, don’t have to worry about employers finding out.

Employers are also allowed to view an applicant’s history of participation in civil suits and see if the person in question has been arrested.  According to the FCRA, this information is only able to include if it occurred in the last seven years.  If the suit or arrest happened eight years ago or more, then these fact cannot be included in a background check. Other information that is not accessible after seven years includes paid tax liens, accounts placed for collection and other negative records (excluding criminal convictions)

Job seekers that are concerned about having to undergo a background check should take a proactive approach.  These individuals should consider getting their hands on a copy of their own records.  This will help them know if there are any inaccuracies that need to be correct or if they need to be prepared to explain an issue to a hiring manager.

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Seasonal Jobs in Boston Harder to Find

Friday, November 21st, 2008

Finding a seasonal job in Boston won’t be easy for college students this winter break, according to Experience, Inc.’s 2008 Holiday Jobs Survey. While school is out, many undergraduates take the opportunity to earn a little extra money to help pay for their education, but competition for work is high this season.

The study found that four out of five college students, along with those who have already graduated will be looking for seasonal jobs in Boston and throughout the country this holiday. The problem is that, with unemployment up, young adults are now having to compete with more experienced members of the workforce in order to find a job.

Of those who participated in the survey, 79 percent said that they were looking for a seasonal job for the upcoming holidays, but only 22 percent reported that they had already found work. Out of the students who had yet to be hired, 53 percent admitted that they believed that it was unlikely that will be hired while school is out.

Last year Experience’s survey reported that 47 percent of job seekers had already found work by early November. What that means for 2008, is that there has been a 25 percent decline in the number of young adults who known where they will be working for the holidays.

Understanding the economy, many students tried to increase there chances of finding seasonal jobs in Boston this winter. A total of 60 percent of participants reported that they began their job search before November this year, while only 20 percent did so in 2007.

The number of students who are looking for full-time work over the holiday break also rose. This year 45 percent hope to find a position where they can put in at least 40 hours a week. In addition to this, undergraduates are also extending the amount of their break that they are willing to work in order to be more marketable. Almost half (47 percent) of participants said that they would be willing to work for more than five weeks. This figure has more than doubled since 2007.

“Given the economic climate, candidates seeking extra income this holiday season need to be aggressive in searching for opportunities and identify themselves as ambitious, hardworking and resourceful,” said Experience, Inc.‘s founder and CEO Jennifer Floren. “College and grad students may also find that the winter break is the ideal time to set up job shadow opportunities and make networking connections, both of which will pay off down the road.”

The survey found that 22 percent of students believe they will find work through their university’s career center, 23 percent felt they would get a job through word-of-mouth and 21 percent hope that work can be located through an online job board.

The most desirable seasonal jobs were in retail, where 24 percent of students wanted to work. Another 23 percent reported that they hoped to find a new internship of the holidays. Around 18 percent wanted to work in a hotel a restaurant and 13 percent expect to find employment at a vacation destination.

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Online Boomer Social Network TeeBeeDee surveyed hundreds of Boomers and found the top concern at work is layoffs; value of 401k is second biggest worry

Wednesday, November 19th, 2008

TeeBeeDee, a social network for adults 40+ who believe life is still to be determined, offers insights and advice directly from members. The looming economic crisis has been a hot topic on the site. Most recently, a member poll asked over 500 Baby Boomers what worried them the most on the job. The poll found that possible layoffs are the overwhelming stressor; second to that, Boomers were worrying most about the value of their 401k plans.

Poll: Biggest employment worry?

  • Layoffs – 42 %
  • Value of my 401k – 27 %
  • Getting a job – 24 %
  • Pay cuts – 6 %

Because Boomers have been through tough times before, the tone of most conversations is hopeful and practical. Many members have started discussions to share tips on “Recession Cuisine;” a Penny Pinchers group has a discussion on how to find sales and deals for holiday shopping; and there is even a lively discussion on “Dating During a Recession.” One member shares, “I’m finding friends are less willing to go out. I feel that pinch myself. For me, this is the time to get a bit more creative in dating activities and look for the bargains.”

And that type of advice is just what the Financial Planners Association recommends: Instead of worrying about a layoff, you should plan a safety net. Their number one tip for TeeBeeDee members is, “if you don’t have three to six months worth of savings in an interest-bearing account for emergencies, start socking it away now.”

TeeBeeDee member and career coach Gordon Miller also suggests networking while still employed. “Concentrate on connecting with old friends and colleagues. And think of networking as a two-way street, where you’re building relationships that benefit both parties. It’s as much about what you can do for the other person as what they can provide for you.”

TeeBeeDee is a leading destination for the Boomer generation, typically described as adults between 44 and 64 years old. Boomers represent over 77 million people in the U.S. and are one of the fastest growing segments online. Boomers are embracing social networks like TeeBeeDee in greater numbers because they can meet new friends and learn from people with similar life experiences. At TeeBeeDee, Boomers come together to share and discuss their passions across a wide variety of topics, such as pets, cooking, travel, family, and genealogy. It is also the place where Boomers ask questions and receive advice on careers, finance, family, health, relationships, sex over 40, friendships, and much more.

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Entry Level Job Market For College Seniors Remains Flat

Sunday, November 16th, 2008

College seniors are anxious about the job market, and with due cause. Many are applying for scores of entry level jobs without an interview in return and have taken to looking for unpaid internships.

However, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), a source of information about the employment of college graduates, employers have revised original hiring projections and now expect their college hiring to stay even with last year’s levels.

In light of volatile financial markets, NACE recently re-polled employers that had provided hiring projections in August. The result: Compared to their earlier projections, responding employers expect to decrease their hiring levels by 1.6 percent. However, in comparison to their actual hires from the Class of 2008, respondents expect to hire about 1.3 percent more graduates from the Class of 2009.

“Overall, hiring looks flat for now and some employers are indicating some movement to cut back,” says Marilyn Mackes, NACE executive director. “In August, approximately one-third of employers said they were going to trim their college hiring; in our current poll, however, 52 percent said they were going to adjust their college hiring downward.”
The decreased expectation for college hiring that occurred between August and October was broadly felt across industries. Only government as a sector saw a significant increase in hiring expectations, while manufacturing and professional services remain essentially flat. All other industry categories decreased their hiring expectations for the Class of 2009.

“Consequently, many of this year’s graduates will find fewer openings available to them and may have to consider different types of opportunities, industries, and organizations than they planned. Most importantly, they need to use the resources available to them through their campus career center to help them identify and connect with potential employers,” says Mackes.

NACE will continue to monitor the job outlook for the Class of 2009 and will report on hiring projections as they relate to changes in the economic environment. NACE’s Salary Survey Winter report, scheduled for distribution in late January, will provide a first look at demand for new college graduates by specific discipline.

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Applicant Tracking Software Enhanced

Thursday, November 13th, 2008

HR Services Inc. has announced the debut of the next generation of the myStaffingPro applicant tracking system with version 9.0. The new version was completed as a part of HR Services Inc.’s ongoing objective to improve the quality of the myStaffingPro system.

“myStaffingPro continually reviews its product to increase ease of use, aesthetic appeal, and relevant functionality,” said Chief Information Officer Jennifer Brogee. “The product development team worked diligently through untold hours of planning, research, design, development, and testing to produce an unmatched release.” System architect Tony Calvelage added, “myStaffingPro 9.0 is a more flexible system that will enable us to incorporate the new possibilities that emerging technology has to offer.”

myStaffingPro® is a web-based applicant tracking system with nearly ten years of experience. Clients of myStaffingPro® consistently give high ratings for flexible user functionality, unmatched prescreening, superior support, advanced reporting, and virtually “zero” down time. The system is available in four solutions to accommodate clients of any size or hiring process. myStaffingPro® is currently delivering the hiring process for over 400 clients and has processed over 13 million applications.

The release features a new look and feel, as well as more intuitive requisition management. The enhanced requisition management screens enable the user to resize, sort, and reorder the columns in requisition management. The enhancement will increase the usability of the system by allowing users to review and analyze their requisition data with their preferred formatting. “Combining total dedication to usability and creating a positive user experience is our number one priority,” stated director of sales Ruth Ann Stover.

The next generation is immediately available to myStaffingPro users. The myStaffingPro SaaS model enables users to benefit from the release without any downloads or assistance from IT.

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Recruiting Up for Nuclear Engineers

Monday, November 10th, 2008

Many companies in Virginia have an interest in nuclear power, an industry that has been near-dormant in the country for about 30 years. However, the possibility of a new focus on nuclear power will require companies to begin recruiting new engineers.

In the past year, according to an article by the Daily Progress, many state colleges and universities have increased their response to a potential need for more engineers, specifically on a nuclear level. The University of Virginia used to have undergraduate and graduate programs in nuclear engineering, as well as a research reactor on campus until the mid-1990s.

“Nuclear energy was going to power every aspect of our life,” Bill Hall, who worked at Duke Energy in Charlotte, North Carolina for 30 years and now teaches at the University, said in the article.

(more…)

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Chicago Jobs Likely Lost At USG

Sunday, November 9th, 2008

USG Corporation has announced that it will eliminate 20% of its workforce within the next two months; Chicago jobs – where the company is headquartered – will not be immune. USG, also known as United States Gypsum Corporation, is a Fortune 500 company that manufactures construction materials. Incorporated in 1901, its corporate offices are in the Chicago Loop.

USG reported third quarter 2008 net sales of $1.2 billion and a net loss of $40 million. For the same period a year ago, the corporation reported net sales of $1.3 billion and net earnings of $7 million.

While approximately 800 people work in the Chicago, Libertyville, and Schiller Park, Illinois locations, the company has plants, mines, quarries, transport ships and other facilities across North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. Nearly 900 jobs worldwide are expected to be cut.

“Our core wallboard business continued to be affected by the sharp drop in the residential housing market and high raw material and energy costs compared to last year,” said William C. Foote, USG Chairman and CEO. “The distribution business is being impacted by lower product shipments and tighter margins. The ceilings business continued year-over-year sales growth again this quarter; however, the commercial market has begun to exhibit signs of weakness.

“Our focus on costs and efficiencies, including capacity closures and overhead reductions, has helped to mitigate the effects of the downturn in all our markets,” added Foote. “As conditions continue to deteriorate in the broader economy, we are preparing plans to significantly reduce costs further, improve operational efficiency and maintain our liquidity. We recognize the importance of liquidity and since the beginning of the third quarter, we have finalized asset-based financings that provide us with up to approximately $235 million of additional borrowing capacity.”

Foote concluded, “When the market eventually rebounds, we believe USG will be well-positioned to benefit from the operating leverage in its businesses.”

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Healthcare Jobs Managed Through New Technology

Saturday, November 8th, 2008

After a thorough search and business proposal process, 360 Healthcare Staffing (formerly Aedon Staffing) has selected BlueSky Medical Staffing Software (MSS) to assist in the management of healthcare jobs professional staffing business. BlueSky MSS is a division of Amistaff Healthcare Technology.

“360 Healthcare Staffing made the decision to use BlueSky software because it is designed to simplify many of the important functions our staff must complete every day,” said Jeanette Weinz, Vice President of 360 Healthcare Staffing. “BlueSky provides features such as scheduling, travel assignments, reports, vendor management, payroll and background screenings. The software allows for the 360 staff to be much more efficient with their medical staffing assignments.”

BlueSky MSS is an enterprise-level, Web-based software solution that helps healthcare staffing organizations to streamline their workflow and to automate their onboarding process for candidates. In addition, with BlueSky’s integration of NurseTesting.com, the leader in online clinical competency testing and most recognized by healthcare facilities across the country, 360 Healthcare Staffing can ensure that its candidates are best qualified to meet client needs.

“Having worked closely with the leaders of 360 Healthcare Staffing in the implementation of BlueSky, it was apparent they were looking for a solution that would streamline processes, enhance communication and provide credential management for their employees to assure the placement of quality healthcare professionals in their client facilities. BlueSky is the perfect solution for 360 Healthcare Staffing,” said Chris Carrington, VP Product Development for BlueSky MSS. “We look forward to a continued relationship as they accomplish their business objectives.”

360 Healthcare Staffing is a healthcare staffing company specializing in the placement of nurses, therapists, therapy assistants, nursing home administrators and allied healthcare positions in both acute care and skilled nursing facilities. 360 Healthcare Staffing’s team of staffing managers brings the strength of years of industry experience to serve its customers. They understand the critical nature of staffing shortages that healthcare facilities face every day, and the need for each healthcare professional to find the right fit — the right location, the right pay, and the right work environment. Each staffing opportunity is managed with both a sense of urgency and a focus on quality. 360 Healthcare Staffing offers the right mix of flexibility and stability to meet the needs of an ever-changing healthcare environment.

Posted in Healthcare, Job Search | 9 Comments »

Networking and Internships

Saturday, November 8th, 2008

With the economy unstable, many students are worried about how the job market will be after they graduate. In order to be more competitive in the workforce, internships are now a must. Many employers use their internship programs to recruit future hires, which means that those who participate may get to avoid the post-graduation job search altogether.

After finding an internship, you should do everything they can to get to know the people that they will be working with. Since the old cliché of “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” holds true, this can be a way to find more than one opportunity. The people met during an internship may go on to work elsewhere, meaning that if the program does not lead to a job with that business, then other doors will be open to you.

Networking has other benefits. Older employees have more work experience than students, which means they can be a wealth of knowledge. These individuals can help you adjust to being a part of the workforce. They can also help you avoid making certain mistakes.

After finding someone at the business you’re interning with that you feel can teach you a lot, find out if they would be willing to mentor you. This person should be someone who has experience in the field that you’re interested in and should have a certain level of success. If possible, they should either be a manger or someone who is in good standing with their immediate supervisor.

Be up front with this individual. Let them know that you want to learn from them. Many in the workforce will be happy to help you become a better worker. This way, when you have a question about how to handle a situation, you have someone to go to.

Even if you do not secure employment through your internship, networking can help you by providing references for when you begin your job search. Employers usually prefer references from others in the field who have worked with an applicant. Just make sure to ask before using someone as a reference. No one wants to find out after the fact that what they thought would be a great reference, didn’t have a favorable opinion about the work done during an internship.

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